Alchemy Festival at the Southbank Centre London

April 20, 2015

For the sixth year, the Alchemy Festival is returning to London, celebrating all things cultural from the Indian subcontinent. It has made a name for itself by becoming the biggest South Asian festival outside of Asia.

From 15 May – 25 May, you can experience music, dance, comedy, Bollywood and literature. There is something for everyone. Here are a few events we are especially excited for:

Jaipur Literature Festival 16 -17 May

To continue with the literary feeling, why not spend a weekend at the Jaipur Literature Festival residential? This event will give you an insight into South Asia’s multilingual literary culture through oral, performing arts, ideas and of course books.

Listen as topics that affect Bollywood and the politics of that region are discussed.

Meera Syal Talk 20 May

Listen to Meera Syal discuss her new novel The House of Hidden Mothers. Her new book is about a woman who wishes for a child but decides to use a surrogate and a young girl from India offers to be the surrogate.

Meera will also be talking with award-winning Maya Jaggi about how poverty and the Indian slums can be portrayed to create a better understanding to outsiders.

Shreya Ghoshal Live Music 23 May

Experience a treat with Rock On Music’s presentation of the new Nightingale of India, Shreya Ghoshal. The Bollywood singer will be performing at the Royal Festival Hall to recreate the magic and splendour of her sell out shows at the Royal Albert Hall for 2013 and 2014.

crowd of people at Alchemy Festival at Southbank Centre

Courtesy of southbankcentre.co.uk Alchemy Festival

Creative Writing Workshop by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown 23 May

Maybe you’re tempted to experience how Indian food flavours can be combined with the tradition British dishes through The Settler’s Cookbook by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. Yasmin will be running a creative writing workshop centred on how food and memory can be used to inspire creativity through writing.

Infinite Indian Food

For those of you who want to gorge on unlimited amounts of Indian food, you will have the chance to visit the market stalls supplied by KERB. Over the eleven days, street traders and restaurants will be supplying spice, heat and flavour for all to enjoy.

We have highlighted literature festivals, music performances and food stands but there are many other events taking place at the Alchemy Festival. Make sure to check everything the festival has to offer as there will be an event for everyone to enjoy.

When the party is over but you haven’t experienced enough Indian culture, take a trip to Perivale and visit Royal Nawaab Indian restaurant situated in the Hoover Building.

Have a spice intensed  meal in the banqueting hall where you can relive and reminisce about the rich culture you have experienced.